In a significant ruling concerning national security, the Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to hand over land in nine border districts to the BSF by March 31 this year for the installation of barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border. The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen, emphasized that land already acquired and funded by the Centre must be transferred immediately, stating that procedural excuses citing Special Intensive Revision will not be entertained.

The order followed a Public Interest Litigation PIL filed by retired army officer Dr. Subrata Saha, who alleged that state negligence in land transfer has facilitated illegal smuggling and infiltration. While the state government assured the court that 181 kilometres of land would be handed over by the March deadline, the court remains focused on the remaining stretches awaiting state cabinet approval. The bench has asked both the Centre and State to submit affidavits on whether border land can be acquired on an emergency basis, given the security implications. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on April 2, 2026.